Cruel twist haunts Jags LB

Cordova, a third-round pick in 2004, tries to make roster after ACL tear.

By VITO STELLINOThe Times-Union,

Jorge Cordova was just in his second week of training camp last year when he made one misstep that ended his season.

"I was dropping back [in pass coverage] and it twisted the wrong way, and away it went,'' Cordova said.

The torn anterior cruciate ligament forced him onto the long road of rehab.

"It was going through my mind that this is my life. This is what I do, and to have it taken away from me, it's just real scary because you're not sure if you're going to be able to come back from it,'' he said.

Cordova, who started all 42 games at Nevada-Reno while collecting 29.5 sacks and 44 tackles for a loss, said, "It was the first time I've been injured.''

Calling home to tell his family about the injury, a moment captured by NFL Films in Jaguars Summer, was particularly difficult.

"It was really rough breaking it to my mom [Alicia]. My family was so far away [in San Diego] and they worry about me a lot. She was shocked and she started crying,'' he said.

Cordova, though, is now upbeat because he recovered well enough to practice in training camp and play in the first three preseason games as a linebacker and defensive end.

Now that camp is over, the strain won't be as bad on his knee, but the strain on his psyche could be worse.

With the first mandatory cut to 65 (plus NFL Europe exemptions) set for Tuesday and the final cut to 53 on Saturday, Cordova is one of those players who has to worry about his fate.

He faces a tougher task than he would have last year if he'd stayed healthy.

The Jaguars drafted him last year in the third round as a pass-rushing specialist, which was a need position at the time, and as a linebacker.

The Jaguars were more in need of pass rushers and linebackers last season. Four ends -- Paul Spicer, Rob Meier, Brandon Green and Lionel Barnes -- suffered injuries, and linebacker Greg Favors moved to end.

Cordova's injury not only cost him a chance to play, it opened the door for rookie Bobby McCray, a seventh-round draft pick, to start seven games. Now McCray is playing with the pass-rush package on passing downs.

The Jaguars also gave Reggie Hayward $10 million in guaranteed money, so he's set at the right end spot. Spicer, who appears to have won his starting job back at left end, and Meier have returned from injuries. They also signed veteran Marcellus Wiley. So there is now a logjam at end.

Things are just as crowded at linebacker with Nate Wayne and Favors listed as the backup outside linebackers behind Akin Ayodele and Daryl Smith. That leaves Cordova as a third-string outside linebacker.

"Right now, it's kind of mixed up," Cordova said. "I'm supposed to be playing half and half, linebacker in base and defensive end in nickel and dime packages in passing situations so I can rush the passer, hopefully.''

At 6 feet 1 and 241 pounds, Cordova has the quickness to rush the passer but not the size to play defensive end full-time.

"His combination of size, explosiveness and speed allows him to play linebacker and defensive end,'' linebackers coach Brian VanGorder said.

Head coach Jack Del Rio said Cordova is healthy enough to not be a candidate for a second year on the IR. If he doesn't make the roster, he'd still have a shot at making the practice squad, especially because the Jaguars have a third-round pick invested in him.

Cordova, though, isn't thinking about all those factors.

"I just try to go out there and play my best. I can't worry about that kind of stuff. That puts more of a strain on me,'' Cordova said.

Cordova, one of a handful of players of Mexican descent in the NFL, said he is proud of his heritage and what he's accomplished in football.

"I take a lot of pride in what I am and in doing the best I can to represent my family and my culture,'' he said.